Google develops Android such that anyone can build a device that runs it, but it’s up to the manufacturer to modify it and tailor it to run on the hardware they’re using. This process can take months, and it means that most Android devices out there are generally one or two versions behind. To get the most out of a new Android device, it’s important to know which are the most likely to be updated quickly.

Ice Cream Sandwich and Jelly Bean

The latest, and most relevant, version of Android are version 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and 4.1 (Jelly Bean). Ice Cream Sandwich brought all sorts of performance boosts and  new features to Android, and any worthwhile new Android phone should come with Android 4.0 already installed – or at least have an update expected very soon. Jelly Bean, the latest version released just weeks ago, expanded on the feature set of 4.0. If you expect to keep your phone for a couple years, you’ll want to make sure it has a high likelihood of receiving the 4.1 update as well.

Google’s Galaxy Nexus (and Nexus S)

The Nexus line is always the first to receive OS updates. This is because they are the only devices maintained directly by Google. The Galaxy Nexus is currently the only Android phone with Jelly Bean available. The Nexus S (which is well over one and a half years old, now) will likely be the second phone on the market to get the 4.1 update. If you want to stay as current as possible with the Android OS, Nexus devices are the way to go.

Samsung

Samsung started with one of the worst update records, taking ages to update its phones, if it updated them at all; however, Samsung listened to consumers and has completely changed its ways. This makes the Galaxy S III an excellent choice in terms of version longevity. Not only does it come with Android 4.0 out of the box, but should be updated to 4.1 by the end of the year. The Galaxy Note ought to see a 4.1 update around that same time, and the Galaxy S II is even a likely candidate, though the time frame on that may be a bit longer than is practical for a consumer.

HTC

HTC can be a little slow when updating its devices, but it does update most of its devices. The One Series (such as the One X, One S, and EVO LTE) are almost all certain to see a 4.1 update, with the exception of the One V which is a bit less likely since it lacks the power to fully benefit from an update. When will the One Series updates be rolling out? Hopefully before the end of the year. Older HTC devices, like the Sensation 4G and EVO 3D, probably won’t get the 4.1 update, though they have been updated to 4.0.

Motorola

Motorola does a solid job supporting its devices, as long as they’re still popular on the market. The Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX have already started receiving 4.0 upgrades and should definitely be seeing 4.1 before the end of the year. The Droid Bionic and Droid 4, while still fairly current, likely won’t get a taste of 4.1, but should be upgraded to 4.0 before long.

Sony

While its devices start off great, Sony is disturbingly slow out of the gate. Because it takes so long to launch its products after announcing them, they’re often very behind once they hit the market. Sony’s brand new Xperia Ion is a perfect example. Despite its release on weeks ago, it’s only running Android version 2.3 (Gingerbread, technically 3 generations behind). Fortunately, it will be getting a 4.0 update, but that’s likely it. It doesn’t look like any of Sony’s other phones will be updated.

LG
LG likes to support its top tier devices, so long as they’re not too old. The Optimus 4X HD and Optimus LTE 2 are likely the only LG phones to get the 4.1 update.

What’s New?

Compared to the BlackBerry 7, the current version, BlackBerry 10 will be very different – so different that it completely skips versions 8 and 9. While change can be a bit scary, RIM is definitely focusing on the right aspects.

New Core – Rather than the Java-driven operating system of its predecessors, BlackBerry 10 will be based on a UNIX system from QNX that has provided a solid infrastructure for many telematic systems in cars. It provides a much more modern and robust operating environment and is a much needed improvement to the BlackBerry platform.

New Look – While not much has been showcased yet, BlackBerry 10 looks unsurprisingly like a cross between its biggest competitors, Android, iOS, and WP7. The homescreen features customizable tabs that act as application shortcuts as well as providing real-time information, similar to WP7’s tiles.

New Functionality – When BlackBerry 7 came out with multitasking, everyone thought it might just be enough to save the day. BlackBerry 10 not only has multitasking, but even goes a step further, integrating applications into the operating system directly so that multitasking is achievable with every application while having no impact on overall system performance.

Digital Cameras

With trips for spring break and summer just around the corner, it’s not surprising that digital cameras are on the top of the list. These are the three that made the cut.

Canon EOS Rebel T3i – Canon’s Rebel series has always managed to hold onto the top spots in our SLR ranks. The T3i is an excellent entry-level Digital SLR with great manual and automatic features, large 18MP CMOS image sensor, and 1080p video capability. Its burst shooting modes are bit slower than the high-end cameras, and the automatic focus lacks a few feautes; however, its price makes it an excellent value for the budding photographer.

Sony DSC-HX9V – The HX9V isn’t the newest compact digital camera on the market, but it’s still a solid 16MP shooter with a TON of features. If you’re looking for an affordable camera that has a setting for just about any lighting situation you might come across, the HX9V is for you.

Nikon CoolPix P300 – The CoolPix P300 is very similar to the HX9V, featuring many different shooting mode presets. It does cut back a bit on the feature list compared to the HX9V, which makes it a bit easier to use, but you also pay a bit of a premium for the Nikon name.

HDTVs

There is a lot of new HDTV technology coming out this year, but the models topping out list aren’t the latest, most advanced. Instead, they’re excellent sets whose prices have recently fallen.

Samsung UE/UN D5000 Series – Samsung’s D5000 series has a very attractive price tag for the features and image quality that it offers. As far as LED TVs are concerned, it’s one of the best values on the market right now.

Philips PFL7606K Series – The PFL7606K is another affordably priced HDTV. Its key feature is 3D capabilities. As far as 3D features go, the PFL7606K does an excellent job. 2D image quality takes a small hit, but is still quite good for a set of this caliber.

Panasonic TXP GT30 Series – For anyone in the market for a large, affordable plasma screen TV, the TXP GT30 is certainly one of the top choices. Its 3D features won’t wow you, but its 2D picture quality is everything you’d expect from a top-notch plasma display.

Sony KDL-EX720 Series – The KDL-EX720 is the least expensive 3D TV Sony has to offer. For an LED TV, its picture quality is only about average, but it has a long list of useful features such as a matte screen, excellent internet services, and energy saving utilities.

Android Phones

Android devices are extremely abundant and range from budget friendly to unique and high-end. Both ends of the spectrum are popular amongst consumers

Samsung Galaxy Note – The Galaxy Note is currently the highest ranked Android phone on alaTest (coming in just behind the iPhone 4S). Its very large screen and powerful processor make it a popular choice for those looking for a more tablet-like experience.

Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray – Going in the other direction, the Xperia Ray has a smaller, 3.3-inch display for a more pocket-friendly experience. It still features a quality screen and capable processor, making it a great choice for an entry-level device.

Samsung Galaxy GIO – Though it’s an older device, the Galaxy GIO makes a solid choice for those looking to get the most out of their money. It cuts a few corners, such as featuring a QVGA display, 3MP camera, and 800MHz processor, but is still a good value.

Android: A Three-Way Tie

The Android operating system is the most diverse amongst smartphones, offering a wide range of choices, so it’s not surprising that there are a few choices when it comes to the “best” Android phone.

The Samsung Galaxy Note

The Galaxy Note has become extremely popular among consumers primarily thanks to its display. At 5.3 inches, it’s quite large for a phone, but it also features an 800×1280 resolution (capable of 720p HD playback). It is a lot of screen real estate, and since it’s Super AMOLED, it looks stunning, great for web browsing, movies, and games. It also has the latest in processor technology, with a 1.4GHz dual-core CPU. Its 8MP camera is considered among the best smartphones have to offer. Plus it features 32GB of internal storage and is expandable via MicroSD slot. Surprisingly, even its battery life is quite good. If you’re looking for a great smartphone with a large display, the Note is the way to go.

The Samsung Galaxy Nexus

At first glance, the Galaxy Nexus doesn’t really appear to be top dog in any single category, but what it does well is combine many excellent features, creating a very well-rounded device. It has a large, 4.65-inch 720p Super AMOLED display, but still manages to keep a fairly compact overall size. It has LTE 4G (or HSPA+ depending on model), a 5MP camera capable of 1080p video and simultaneous photos with zero shutter lag, and a 1.2GHz dual-core processor. To top it all off, the Galaxy Nexus is the latest “Pure Google” device, meaning it’s the first to receive updates to the Android operating system. That last fact alone makes it an excellent choice for anyone.

The Samsung Galaxy S II

Samsung’s Galaxy S line is by far the most popular of the Android devices, and the Galaxy S II is no exception. Like the Galaxy Nexus, the S II is a very well-rounded device, featuring a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, 4.3-inch (or 4.5-inch) Super AMOLED display, 16GB-32GB of internal storage plus MicroSD slot, and Samsung’s much loved TouchWiz interface. It also has a highly praised 8MP camera, and is available on every major U.S. cell provider.

The Runners’ Up

The HTC One X certainly has potential to make the list – especially the quad-core Tegra 3 version – but it’s still experiencing a few growing pains. The Galaxy S III is also right around the corner and could easily displace the S II.

iOS: The iPhone 4S

Apple makes choosing an iOS phone pretty simple – you don’t really get much of a choice. The latest device is, of course, the best, such is the case with the iPhone 4S. It has a speedy dual-core processor, doesn’t seem to suffer from the antenna issues of its predecessor, and also includes the convenience of Siri, the personal digital companion.

Windows Phone 7: The Nokia Lumia 900

Microsoft is somewhat like Apple when it comes to WP7. Most of the devices are very similar in specs, and it’s primarily their prices and special features that set them apart. The Lumia 900 actually isn’t the most expensive WP7 phone, yet it has some of the best features. Its 4.3-inch AMOLED display looks great; it’s compatible with LTE and HSPA+; it has a solid 8MP camera (though slightly hindered by WP7 software); and battery life is superb. It easily competes with the higher priced Samsung Focus S and HTC Titan, making it an amazing value.

Smartphones

There were more smartphones than you could shake a stick at this year, and a few really stood out, like Fujitsu’s quad-core Tegra 3 prototype featuring a 4.6-inch 720p display and 4G LTE connectivity, and Nokia’s newly announced Lumia 900 which is a Windows Phone that might shake up the competition.

What really stood out to us, though, was Lenovo’s K800. While Lenovo is best known for their high-end ThinkPad laptops, they’re really entering the smartphone market with a bang. The K800 is the very first Intel based Android phone, utilizing Intel’s brand new Medfield Z2460 mobile processor, a 1.6GHz processing behemoth, and possibly the fastest smartphone processor to date.

Tablets

Tegra 3 tablets were rampant at CES, from Acer’s latest IconiaTab and Pantec’s waterproof Element to the Asus 7-inch MeMO and Samsung Galaxy Note (which is technically a 5.3-inch smartphone). Out of all of the choices, the one we absolutely couldn’t overlook was the Transformer Prime TF700T.

The TF700T is just like the original Transformer Prime in shape, size, and even most of its components, making it compatible with the same keyboard dock; however, it has a few key improvements over the original Prime. Most noticeably, it has a full 1920×1080 HD display which is absolutely stunning. It wasn’t the only 1080p quad-core tablet at CES, but the Transformer’s great track record speaks for itself.

Laptops

Laptops are always popular at CES, and this year was no exception. AMD in particular had a very impressive booth showcasing its upcoming Radeon HD 7000M series graphics capabilities, which for the budget-aware mobile gamer, will almost definitely be the way to go once they hit the market.

But when it comes to feats of both performance and battery life, Samsung’s latest Gamer Series 7 notebook takes the cake. It will come with Nvidia’s yet to be released GTX 675M graphics core, which is expected to shatter current mobile gaming performance records. On top of that, it also features a dial that allows you to switch between the high-performance Nvidia GPU when you need it and the battery-saving integrated Intel HD graphics core when you don’t.

HDTVs

We saw no clear winner when it came to HDTVs this year. Instead, we saw three amazing models, all featuring some amazing technology that we can’t wait to see reach the consumer market. OLED TVs are definitely going to catch some attention over the next year. Both Samsung and LG demoed 55-inch OLED displays that would take your breath away. LG’s demo unit was only 4mm thick, despite looking better than any display we’ve seen before.

Sony was also turning some heads with its own 55-inch prototype. While Sony didn’t choose to go with OLEDs in which each pixel is its own light emitter, it did take a similar approach which it’s calling “Crystal LED.” Essentially, each pixel has its own individual LED backlight behind it. This creates the same effect as OLEDs, but with a greater potential range for color.

Cameras

There were a lot of interesting and impressive cameras at CES this year. In terms of specs, the Nikon D4 certainly holds its own, but Polaroid definitely wins points for innovation, showing the world’s first “Smart Camera,” the SC1630.

The SC1630 takes the guts of your typical point-and-shoot camera (3x optical zoom lens, 16MP sensor, etc) and pairs them with the smartphone based Android operating system. The result is a wonderful compact digital camera with Wifi, Bluethooth, and even the Android Marketplace at its disposal.

Smartphones and Tablets

Over the past couple of years, smartphones have been seeing explosive progress in everything from performance to functionality. At the start of every year, someone makes the claim that it will be the “Year of the Smartphone.” Well, it looks like we’ll be going on the third “Year of the Smartphone” in a row this year, and I, for one, am not disappointed.

Intel Enters the Race

Intel has been talking about developing smartphone processors for a while, but now it’s official. In the second quarter of this year, Lenovo will be launching the very first Intel powered Android phone, the K800. While not quite as power efficient as the traditional ARM processors, Intel’s Medfield chip, now known as the Atom Z2460, will offer a new level of performance in smartphones, tablets, and ultrabooks. It will definitely be interesting to see how it compares to Nvidia’s ARM-based Tegra 3.

Nvidia and Tegra 3

Tegra 3, the first quad-core processor to be found stuffed inside a tablet (the Transformer Prime) has been on the market since December, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t make an appearance at CES. Not only were there several Tegra 3 tablets from manufacturers like Toshiba, Asus, and Acer, but Fujitsu stole the show by displaying the first Tegra 3 smartphone. And in case you were curious about Tegra 3’s performance, a Tegra 3 tablet was shown playing Skyrim on an HDTV. So yes, current generation console performance has officially been achieved in the mobile sector.

Tons of New Smartphones

Just about everyone had a new smartphone to announce at CES this year. Samsung announced its Galaxy Note (as well as the Galaxy S II HD for T-Mobile); Sony came out with the Xperia S; Motorola had the Droid 4 and new RAZR MAXX (claiming 21 hours of talk time); and Nokia showed us the Lumia 710, as Windows Phone that might actually compete with the iPhone and Android for once. And that’s just to name a few of the big players’ announcements.

HDTVs and Entertainment

Apart from all of the fancy gadgetry, CES has always been a staging ground for home entertainment breakthroughs. HDTVs specifically, as well as other home appliances, have always been popular topics.

HDTVs

For the last year or two, HDTVs at CES were all about 3D. That phase is finally starting to die down (I personally say “Good riddance”), and the TV sector is transitioning onto the next big thing: OLED. LG wowed the audience with a magnificent 55-inch OLED TV that had some of the most vivid colors, deepest blacks, and sharpest image ever. Plus it was only 4mm thick!

There were of course plenty of other products on display, including Dish’s new wireless satellite receiver boxes, some fun remote controlled surveillance equipment, and a ton of talk about a new wave of GoogleTV devices.

Video Games

Even though video game-related stuff is more of an E3 thing, there was plenty to go around at CES. For starters, the Wii U got some demo time, strutting its upgraded graphics and tablet-like controller. The PlayStation Vita also got some valuable face time, with Sony announcing a planned launch date of February 22^nd.

CES 2012 continues through Friday, so stick around and we’ll keep you informed of all the cool gadgets and technology that are headed our way this year.

The iPhone

It comes as little surprise that the iPhone made up a good portion of that 6.8 million units, and while Android phones as a whole outsold the iPhone, it’s still an impressive feat considering that the iPhone 4S held the most sales out of any single device (at somewhere around 3 million units). The 4S was also the most returned device following Christmas, and by a rather large margin. The reason for the high return rate is uncertain. It could be that people felt that the 4S didn’t offer much noticeable improvement over their current model, or perhaps they were enticed by the better spec’d Android phones on the market, and tempting after-Christmas sales (which are still going on).

Android Phones

As a whole, Android phones made up for about 55% of smartphone activations on Christmas day, though no single Android device could compare with the iPhone 4S’ impressive figures. But there are definitely still a few notable contenders.

The Galaxy S II

Available on AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile, the Galaxy S II gave people a lot of options in terms of plan pricing and coverage – its record breaking specs certainly didn’t hurt either. With its 1.2Ghz to 1.5GHz processor and 4.3 to 4.5-inch screen (depending on carrier), it appealed to many considering an iPhone but wanted a bit more power or screen space. Estimates put Galaxy S II activations around 1.5 million. The only people who couldn’t get in on the action were Verizon Wireless subscribers.

The Galaxy Nexus

Fortunately for those on Verizon, there was a (arguably) better option: the Galaxy Nexus. While it shares a similar 1.2GHz processor to the Galaxy S II, the Galaxy Nexus features a stunning 4.7-inch 720p HD display, a first for smartphones. It also features Google’s latest version of Android and comes 100% free of any manufacturer or carrier bloat. Sales figures on the Galaxy Nexus weren’t overly impressive, though, since it wasn’t marketed all that aggressively, much like the previous Nexus devices.

The Droid RAZR

Instead of going for the Galaxy Nexus, Verizon subscribers flocked to the Droid RAZR, an ultra thin, uber sleek phone with equally impressive specs. Plus you get that bit of nostalgia if you ever owned one of the original Motorola RAZR phones in the past. They really did do a surprising job of capturing the original look in smartphone form.

The BlackBerry Torch

If you’re a BlackBerry fan, you probably already know that the Torch 9810, 9850, and 9860 is where RIM stepped up its game to compete with today’s current smartphones. Now you can have things like 4G, Wireless-N, and even a modern 1.2GHz processor all with the BlackBerry OS 7 users have grown to love.

Did we mention that Smartphone deals didn’t end with the holidays? In fact, many of the huge sales started just after Christmas, and many are still going on. T-Mobile in particular is hosting one last big sale day this weekend. If you’re a T-Mobile subscriber and you’re due for a new phone, you may want to consider the Galaxy S II or HTC Amaze, both phenomenal smartphones.

Apple iPad 2

For anyone who already owns an iPhone or iPod Touch, the iPad 2 is absolutely the best choice, so long as you don’t mind paying a bit of a premium for the Apple flare. Its iOS interface is essentially identical to all of the other iOS products, including the iPhone and iPod Touch, so there’s really no learning curve. With its 1GHz dual-core A5 processor, it performs quite well, too.

Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime

If performance is what you’re after, though, the Eee Pad Transformer Prime is the way to go. It’s the first tablet with Nvidia’s Tegra 3 Quad-Core (yes, 4 cores) processor. It will have an optional keyboard dock that basically turns it into a fully functioning laptop, just like its predecessor, the Eee Pad Transformer (note the absence of “Prime”). One caveat: the Prime is scheduled for release on December 19^th, so securing one for Christmas day might not be so easy. The original Transformer is still a great (and affordable) choice, as is the Eee Pad Slider.

Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

The Galaxy Tab 10.1 was the first Android tablet that Apple was actually scared of (and even fought against in court). Marking a new era in Android devices, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 is all about sleek styling paired with cool performance. Its dual-core Tegra 2 processor and Android 3.0 Honeycomb operating system are fairly common in high-end tablets, but none do it quite so stylishly. It looks as nice as the iPad 2 (it’s even thinner than the iPad 2), and it performs as well as the iPad 2. No wonder Apple was afraid of it.

Sony Tablet S

Another dual-core Tegra 2 Android Tablet, the Tablet S sets itself apart by offering both hardware and software features other tablets lack. For starters, it is PlayStation Certified, meaning it can install and play many games from Sony’s PlayStation Store. Sony has also outfitted it with its very own Bravia display technology for a vivid visual experience. To top it all off, the Tablet S includes an integrated IR blaster, making it a very capable universal remote. Overall, it’s a nearly unbeatable multimedia device.

Amazon Kindle Fire

You may think of the Kindle Fire as more of an E-Reader rather than a tablet, but its color screen, gaming apps, web browser, and video streaming capabilities beg to differ. Sure, it lacks things like a camera, microphone, and GPS, but with a price tag of just $200, it’s half as expensive as the cheapest tablet on this list. Bottom line: if you’re looking for a reliable and functional tablet, and you don’t mind forgoing a few bells and whistles, the Kindle Fire is the best deal you’ll find for a while.

If you’re having trouble coming up with gift ideas for the holidays, maybe we can help. Here are some of the most popular gift ideas for this year’s holiday season.

iPhone 4S

The iPhone 4S just came out in October, but not everyone upgraded right away. As it stands, the iPhone 4S is one of the top rated, most wanted smartphones on the market, and it goes without saying that anyone with a previous model iPhone would be overcome with excitement and surprise if they got to open up a brand new iPhone 4S on Christmas day.

Galaxy S II (white)

The Galaxy S II is a bit more seasoned than the iPhone 4S, having launched back in April; however, it only just made its way to the U.S. recently. It has since been going blow-to-blow with the iPhone 4S as the two trade between first and second best rated smartphones on the market. The Galaxy S II traditionally comes in black, but T-Mobile has just launched a white version. Everyone hopes for a white Christmas, so it’s only fitting.

Roku

You’ve probably seen at least one of the Roku’s merciless holiday advertisements already, but even though they’re practically shoving the idea down our throats, the Roku really does make a great gift. The Roku basically turns any TV into an internet connected entertainment center, capable of streaming Netflix, watching internet television, and even playing games like Angry Birds. It’s ideal for people who bought their HDTVs before Internet Apps and capabilities came included.

Kindle Fire

Not only is the Kindle Fire the top rated E-Reader on the market, it’s quickly working its way to the top rated tablet as well. Starting at just $200, the Kindle Fire finally prices tablets where they should have been from the very beginning. What’s more is that the Kindle Fire offers much of the same performance and hardware you’d find in a $500+ tablet.

Keurig Single Cup Coffee Makers

While compared to smartphones, tablets, and internet TV boxes, a simple coffee machine may look a bit plain, but Keurig’s innovative single cup brewers have caught a lot of attention this year. It can brew a cup of coffee in no time flat, and with Keurig’s K-Cup packets, you can choose from hundreds of robust flavors, and not just coffee, either. The K-Cup flavors include teas, cocoas, and ciders, too.

Angry Birds Seasons

Everyone should be familiar with the ever popular Angry Birds games. Angry Birds Seasons is the same beak smashing, pig squishing game play you find in the original, only themed to popular holiday seasons – in this case, Halloween. This time it includes a new type of bird and some delightfully eerie levels. Android uses even have the option to get it for free (ad-supported, of course).

Plants VS Zombies

This one has been out for a while on the Apple App Store, but only a few months for Android; nonetheless, Plants VS Zombies is an addicting strategy game set in your home, about to be overrun by zombies. Your only defense? Plants. Amass your army of photosynthesizing greenery and dig in for the long haul. This game is a hard one to put down, and the Android and iOS versions are currently on sale for just $0.99.

Pumpkins vs. Monsters

Though it’s clearly a knock-off of PopCap’s Plants VS Zombies, Pumpkins vs. Monsters is just as enjoyable, and arguably even more Halloween themed. The game play is similar, but much less immersive, making it a more casual experience, great for those brief moments of down time when you might have to step away at any time.

Ghost Detectors

What fun is Halloween without any ghosts? Both Android and iOS have plenty of ghost hunting apps available. Searching either the Apple App Store or Android Marketplace will give you a lengthy list of Ghost Detectors, EMF Sensors, and EVP Scanners. Some will even translate EMF and EVP signals into text! Spooky.

Other handy Halloween apps include Flash Light apps, GPS Maps and/or Route Planners, and spooky soundboards. There is also Trick or Tracker which is extremely handy for parents with multiple children who will be out trick-or-treating. Just remember to be safe out there and scare responsibly. Happy Halloween!